The Hackensack University Health Network is pleased to announce that Robert C. Garrett, its president and chief executive officer, has been ranked as the most powerful healthcare leader on NJBIZ’s “Power 50 Health Care” list. The list comprises highly-distinguished and notable executives: academic leaders, physicians, attorneys, and appointed and elected officials. Garrett makes a significant leap from last year’s seventh place ranking, catapulted by the groundbreaking year HackensackUHN had under his leadership.

“We are exceptionally proud of Bob’s ranking as the most powerful healthcare leader in New Jersey, and we are grateful to him for his continued leadership and vision,” said Joseph Simunovich, chairman, Hackensack University Health Network Board of Trustees.

Garrett was selected based on his leadership throughout the year that included some of the state’s biggest healthcare news. Earlier this year, Hackensack University Health Network announced plans to partner with Seton Hall University to form New Jersey’s only private school of medicine. Late last year, the Network announced plans to merge with Meridian Health to form Hackensack Meridian Health—which will be the largest integrated health system in New Jersey.

According to NJBIZ:

Perhaps it’s fitting that Garrett, the person who sits atop the NJBIZ Power 50 Health Care rankings in 2015, has been playing a game of “Can You Top This?” in recent months as the head of Hackensack University Health Network.

There was the announced merger with Meridian Health, which will help push the Hackensack system — already the second-biggest in the state — to well over $3 billion in revenue. Then there was the news of the Hackensack-Seton Hall medical school and science research center, which will bring the first private medical school to the state, likely attracting more top docs from across the river, while producing the next generation of physicians (there will be a strong emphasis on much needed primary care doctors). “The medical school will help a number of hospitals, as it will provide residents and help produce higher-quality residents,” said a grateful rival. Some feel the research science center that goes with it has the potential to compete with any in the country, all while giving Essex and Passaic counties an economic boom at a prime location (the old Roche site) — a place many felt would never be filled in such a grand way.

For all of Hackensack’s business moves, its ability to provide care is noteworthy, too. Hackensack’s flagship hospital was one of three in the state selected to be an Ebola care center (it’s next in line when or if another patient is diagnosed). And its main hospital is by far the most honored in the state, with 10 specialties earning a national ranking by U.S. News & World Report, while the hospital itself was No. 1 overall in the state and No. 4 overall in the metro area. Garrett’s vision for the future of health care was praised by many. “He is progressive in his partnerships,” said one rival. “He is out in front on where this is all going. He gets it.”

What’s next? Apparently, plenty. More strategic partnerships are said to be on the horizon. “There will be more major announcements coming this year,” one insider said. And while Garrett is moving quickly, one thing is clear: the 57-year-old CEO and president is not going anywhere.

“Bob’s not planning on retiring anytime soon,” one booster said. “He’s got a lot of energy, a lot of experience. He’s very well-liked by all of his employees, and Bob’s a smart guy; he’s definitely going to be around for a while.”

Additionally, Dr. Andrew Pecora, chief innovations officer, professor and vice president of cancer services at the John Theurer Cancer Center and president of RCCA, made his debut on the list, ranked as number 46.

“Hackensack University Health Network also congratulates Network-affiliated leaders who were also listed on the Power 50 Health Care list: John Lloyd, CEO of Meridian Health, and Dr. A. Gabriel Esteban, president of Seton Hall University,” Simunovich added. “Working together with such esteemed leaders, we will continue to witness incredible developments within the Hackensack University Health Network.”

Photo: Robert C. Garrett, president and chief executive officer of the Hackensack University Health Network, has been ranked as the most powerful healthcare leader on NJBIZ’s “Power 50 Health Care” list.

About Hackensack University Medical Center

HackensackUMC, a nonprofit teaching and research hospital located in Bergen County, NJ, is the largest provider of inpatient and outpatient services in the state. Founded in 1888 as the county’s first hospital, it is the flagship hospital of Hackensack University Health Network, one of the largest health networks in the state comprised of 1,250 beds, nearly 10,000 employees and 2,700 credentialed physicians. HackensackUMC was listed as the number one hospital in New Jersey in the U.S. News & World Report’s Best Hospital rankings for 2014-15. It is one of the top 30 hospitals in the nation by receiving 11 national specialty rankings, including a national ranking for the Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital in Neurology and Neurosurgery in the 2014-15 Best Children’s Hospitals. The children’s hospital is housed with the Donna A. Sanzari Women’s Hospital in the Sarkis and Siran Gabrellian Women’s and Children’s Pavilion, which was designed with The Deirdre Imus Environmental Health Center, and was included on the Green Guide’s list of Top 10 Green Hospitals in the U.S. HackensackUMC is one of Healthgrades America's 50 Best Hospitals™ for nine years in a row, and received the Healthgrades Distinguished Hospital Award for Clinical Excellence™ 13 years in a row. The medical center has also been named a Leapfrog Top Hospital, and received 23 Gold Seals of Approval™ by the Joint Commission – more than any other hospital in the country. It was the first hospital in New Jersey and second in the nation to become a Magnet® recognized hospital for nursing excellence; receiving its fifth consecutive designation in 2014. HackensackUMC is the Hometown Hospital of the New York Giants and the New York Red Bulls and was Official Medical Services Provider to The Barclays PGA Golf Tournament and the NY/NJ Super Bowl XLV111 Host Committee. It remains committed to its community through fundraising and community events. To learn more, visit: www.HackensackUMC.org.

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